Lancaster, Pa, native Diavionne Musser, Class of 2025, shares how the Temple community paved a smooth path for her career transition from medicine to marketing.
How my journey started
My identity as a first-generation student is one of the reasons why I entered Temple University as a STEM student. I wished to pave the way for my family with a career path that many perceive as high paying upon graduation. I started as a genomic medicine major. While the field is interesting, I realized I ultimately did not have a passion for medicine.
How did you make the leap from medicine to business?
In high school, I participated in Future Business Leaders of America which revealed marketing as a fulfilling career choice for me. My interest in marketing was further nurtured through my work study position with Temple’s Blackstone LaunchPad. Both of these outside the-classroom experiences fueled my interest in wanting to learn marketing from inside the classroom.
What steps did you take to switch majors?
My Temple Honors advisor encouraged me to enroll in a Fox School marketing-related course in the fall to solidify my decision. Once I confirmed that this was the career path I wanted to pursue, I was able to easily change my major on my own time using the Fox Change of Program Canvas page.
Transitioning into college can be a stressful experience, especially if you are doubting your major choice or are a first-generation student such as myself. Tuttleman Counseling Services provided a space for me to talk through the emotions that come with any academic challenges and introduced me to additional resources to help me navigate this process.
Are you still able to Fly in 4?
Fox Honors advising has been extremely helpful in ensuring that I am on track with my course progression and by meeting with me to look over my Fly in 4 course plan that is customized to my major and minor requirements.
With the transition to college, what services helped you along the way?
Both the Temple and Fox Honors programs provide an intimate community within the university. The honors’ lounges foster not only peer camaraderie, but you can easily meet with advisors for guidance and advice. In addition, affinity groups within the Temple Honors program such as Honorables of Color and First-Generation Honors have provided me with immense support. Student Financial Services has also been very helpful in promptly answering questions about financial aid and payment processes that were unfamiliar to my family.
What gets you excited now about being a Fox School student?
The Fox School’s student chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA) has been essential in my marketing education. The AMA’s student-run consulting firm, Cherry Consulting, has provided me with real-world experience—putting marketing concepts into practice to help local businesses.
In addition, my most memorable class at Temple so far has been Honors Digital Systems with Fox professor Amy Lavin. Understanding how management information systems are related to marketing has inspired me to add a digital marketing minor.